Springboks and Kiwis Encamped at Durban

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 391, 27 June 1928, Page 11

Springboks and Kiwis Encamped at Durban

PROBABLE TEAMS SATURDAY’S BIG CLASH (United P.A. — By Telegraph — Copyright) (Special to Press Association.) DURBAN, Tuesday. The All Black and Springbok sides are now assembled at Durban undergoing intensive training in preparation for next Saturday’s test match. Eighteen New Zealand players have been chosen to go through an elaborate training schedule. They are: Backs.—Lindsay, Grenside, Carleton, Robilliard, Strang, McGregor, Johnson, Dailey and Kilby. Forwards. Scrimshaw, Swain, Hadley, Maurice Brownlie, Alley, Finlayson, Stewart, Hazlett and McWilliams. The South African selectors have chosen 21 players from their performances to date. It appears as if the following will be included in Saturday’s side: —Tindall; Slater, Stanley, Osier, Duffy, and Prinsloo; Bennie Osier and Devine; Mostert, Kruger, Van Druten Daneel, Van Wyk, Pretorious and Oliver. The remaining six in training are Brand, Van Der Westhuizen, De Villiers, Louw, Osier and Potgieter. There is a powerful array of talent in the side. Several players have not fully recovered from the injuries they received in the trial matches, but are expected to be available. The team will take the field sound on Saturday. Phil. Mostert, an experienced international, who visited New Zealand with the Springbok side in 1921, has been elected captain. FINE AFRICAN PACK The South African pack will be a fine one. Critics all over the Union agree that better forwards could not be found in the -country. The critics, the public and the selectors are all inclined to agree that it is doubtful whether the backs can hold the New Zealanders, but that, like all big Rugby, it will be a forward battle. South Africa has the greatest confidence in its pack. It is doubtful whether there will be very much alteration in the New Zealand team. At the present stage it appears that the Kilby-Johnson combination will not be altered, but McGregor is fit again and may play; If lie does, and if Dailey has fully recovered from his attack of influenza, the Canterbury inside combination is not likely to be altered, with Johnson outside fiveeighths. McWilliams, on the form shown in previous matches, and his brilliant play on Saturday, must be given a place, but the question is who will be dropped for him? WHISPERS IN THE CAMP There are whispers in the New Zealand camp that there is a suggestion to play Stewart wingforward, McWilliams at the back of the scrum, and Finlayson in his usual place. Saturday’s fifteen will be finally picked tomorrow night. With all the 18 men fit on Saturday the team should be as sound as any team put in the field so far on the tour. Harvey's luck is still against him. When he had almost recovered and was ready to train he went down with influenza on Saturday. Lucas is also down with influenza. Both stayed at Maritzburg, but are expected here tomorrow.